Word a Day
linger
What does linger mean?
linger (verb): to stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you use linger in a sentence?
- I think I'll just linger awhile. (Tatoeba sentence #6577062 by Eccles17, CC BY 2.0 FR)
How do you pronounce linger?
/ˈlɪŋɡɚ/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does linger come from?
From Middle English lengeren, frequentative of lengen (“to stay, dwell, tarry”), from Old English lenġan (“to lengthen, delay, extend”).
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Test yourself: do you know “linger”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “linger” mean?
to thrust oneself in; to come or enter without invitation, permission, or welcome; to encroach; to trespass
Not quite: that's what intrude means.
to disturb the relative position of the particles (of a liquid or similar) by passing an object through it
Not quite: that's what stir means.
to examine critically or carefully; especially, to search out problems or determine condition; to scrutinize
Not quite: that's what inspect means.
to stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so
Right! That's what “linger” means.
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